Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Living with an Artist

Retirement
is a funny thing. Everyone approaches it differently. Some folks embrace the
concept with enthusiasm for the measured time ahead. Other take a more cautious
approach, judging time and money spent in return for what? I
found my calling pretty quickly and have settled into a routine that satisfies
my soul as well as my curious mind. Sharon took a little longer but has finally
found her focus.

I’m
living with an artist now. Her lifestyle has changed and evolved over the past
couple of years. The changes were subtle at first then grew more focused as an
interest in the arts became her new found passion. In the beginning, it was
metal art and welding. Gradually those endeavors evolved into alcohol ink and
acrylics. Now it’s become a full blown exploration and examination of various
painting mediums, methods and techniques. In that process of experimentation,
my wife has begun mixing and matching a plethora of textures, patterns and
applications to see the results. She is also learning the disciplines
associated with her many different approaches to her art.

The
residue of her artistic endeavors can be seen everywhere; on the kitchen table,
in corners, the basement and even Brian’s old bedroom. There is evidence of her
art projects all over the place. Picture frames and paints are stacked
everywhere.

Sharon
can no longer chide me for stacking papers on the floor of my writing room
(Melanie’s old bedroom). The artist’s ammunition has come to rest and now even
Sharon understands it must go somewhere.

Out
west, our kitchen nook has become her artist’s work space and there will soon
be a new gallery up in the hallway. There already is a wall of art back in
Minnesota.

Sharon
takes art classes at the Northrup King Building in Norde East Minneapolis and
at the Palm Springs Art Center. Her work is being displayed in a design store
at International Market Square and she hopes to soon be represented in the
desert.

It
has given both of us both a new focus on life…not that the old one wasn’t pretty
good too. We are attending art gallery openings, finding new venues where
Sharon might display her work and meeting fellow artists here and there. It’s
prompted me to explore new venues for my plays both here and throughout the
Coachella Valley.

Sharon’s
venture into painting is less impressive than her embracing the true spirit of
her craft. She is experimenting, succeeding at times and failing at others and
trying again. There is a sense of urgency and a crusade that she is on. She is
finding her voice, her comfort level and self-expression in her art. Sharon’s
art is the story of her thoughts and feelings and moods and ambitions.

Sharon’s
paintings energize her and give her a reason to care. It is carrying her beyond
past academic success to newfound pleasures of the soul. Now she is passing on
that knowledge to her grandchildren.

Family paintings inspired by Sharon

It
means fulfillment for Sharon as an artist, an explorer, and a person. It now
defines who she is and what she has become. It is a life filled with purpose
and meaning.

Been
there, done that, doing it. I know what
it’s like. I couldn’t be more proud of everything she’s accomplished thus far
and will in the future.